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Fall led to woman’s death

A PENSIONER died in hospital after she fell down the stairs and banged her head, an inquest heard.

JUNE ACOTT

June Acott’s family were gathered for a meal at her home in Broughton Mills on October 2 last year.

The 78-year-old went upstairs, but fell and was taken to Furness General Hospital, where she died on January 5.

The inquest into Mrs Acott’s death heard she measured seven out of a maximum of 15 on the Glasgow Coma Scale when she was admitted to hospital.

A CT scan also revealed various areas of bleeding in the brain.

The pathologist’s report said the cause of death was bronchopneumonia, which set in because of the traumatic head injuries. Parkinson’s Disease was a contributory factor.

Widower Peter Acott told the hearing in Barrow Town Hall on Monday: “She got up from her usual seat and went upstairs and the next thing we knew was this tremendous crash.

“She had obviously fallen, but the fact there was just the one crash rather seemed like she didn’t slither down the stairs or anything like that.

“I think she must have fallen coming down, because she certainly hit the front and side of her head.”

Mr Acott said his wife had not been drinking alcohol and she was prone to occasional faints.

Mr Ian Smith, coroner for South and East Cumbria, recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He said there was no explanation as to why Mrs Acott fell.

He said it was possible she fainted, but that was “mere speculation”.

The coroner added: “Over a long period of time, the actual bleeding was re-absorbed by the brain, but it left rather severe injuries to the brain, which was not going to improve and it led to her not being able to move around.

“Bronchopneumonia set in the infection in the lungs – that’s often the way of it when somebody is immobile for a long time.”